Redruth 36 Stourbridge 32

Man of the Match Aaron Penberthy’s faultless goal kicking display saw the Reds home to a much needed win in the battle for National One survival.

Penberthy, who kicked eight from eight from the kicking tee and was only just short with a long range drop goal attempt, put twenty-one points on the board for Redruth.

The Recreation Ground was bathed in sunshine and regaled in black and white as part of Redruth’s St Piran’s Day celebrations. Pre-match the bumper crowd enjoyed the choirs, bands, fun fair and trade stalls as a curtain raiser to the main event.

Stourbridge sought to spoil the party as they came flying out of the blocks, dominating the opening period. Sustained attacks up the midfield sucked the home defence in to give left winger Ashley Smith space to touch down in the corner. Penberthy struck two penalties, the first a beauty from forty-five metres, to give the Reds a narrow lead. He and James Hearn exchanged further penalties before a fine solo run from Hearn put Charlie Hayter over for Hearn to convert.

The home pack showed their mettle putting together a good sequence of phases for Luke Collins to score. Penberthy added the extras and struck another penalty to give Redruth a four point lead at the break.

A lively start to the second period saw a clever flip pass from Penberthy put Mark Bright through to set the forwards up. A couple more phases saw Damien Cook go over for a try which Penberthy converted.

Against the run of play Smith broke out of defence making a fine sixty metre run with fellow winger Sam Baker in support to cross for a try for Stourbridge.

Redruth struck back with a well taken Sean Hawkey try which followed a classy break by England Under 18 full back Jack Nowell, converted by Penberthy who also added another penalty to give Redruth a comfortable lead going into the last ten minutes.

A final period of sustained pressure from the visitors saw both Darren Jacques and Richard Brown receive yellow cards, reducing the Reds to thirteen men so it was Stourbridge who had the last word to pick up two bonus points. A seven point score from Ben Sparks converted by Hearn secured a four try bonus point before Hearn added another try of his own to gain a losing point.

Redruth’s Director of Rugby, David Penberthy was pleased that the Reds had come back strongly after last week’s setback against Coventry.

We kicked our goals and kept in touch but we knew that the first twenty minutes of the second half was crucial. We played sensibly and took our chances. We came close to getting the four try bonus but the win was crucial. Hats off to “Oggie” Wright who played the full eighty minutes which wasn’t what we planned. The next three weeks, away to Sedgley Park and Blaydon then home to Cinderford, will probably define our season.

Attendance: 1208
Referee: Philip Davies (RFU)